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2 SheetsSheet 1,

(No Model.)

H. PARKER. MACHINE FOR MAKING HOLLOW ARTICLES FROM PAPER PULP.

Patented Dec. 9, 1890.

2 SheetsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

H. PARKER. MACHINE FOR MAKING HOLLOW ARTIGLES FROM PAPER PULP. No 442,389.

Patented Dec. 9, 1890.

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llO\VARl) PARKER, OF ST. JOHNSBURY, VERMONT, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY FAIRBANKS, OF SAME PLACE.

MACHINE FOR MAKING HOLLOW ARTICLES FROM PAPER-PULP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,389, dated December 9, 1890.

Application filed October 1, 1888. Serial No- 286.880. (N0 model.)

T0 66 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IIOWARD PARKER, of St. Johnsbury, in the county of Caledonia and State of Vermont, have invented new Improvements in Machines for Making Hollow Articles from Paper-Pulp; and I do hereby declare the foll wing, when taken in connection with accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in

Figure 1, a side view, parts in vertical section; 2, a front view in half vertical section; Fig. 3, a transverse section through the cylinder G, showing the pulp-inlet; Fig. 4, a modification in the means for operating the pressurepiston; Figs. 5 and 1, modifications in the pulpchamber.

This invention relates to apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles such as pails. tubs, &c.from paper-pulp, and in which the pulp in a semi-fluid state is pressed upon a former, so as to force the water from the pulp through the former, leaving the fiber on the former, where, when consolidated, it may be removed from the form, preserving the shape which is given to it by the former and the surrounding pressure, the object being a simple and expeditious device for shaping and delivering such hollow articles; and it consists in the construction as hereinafter described, and particularly recited in the claims.

A represents an upright post, preferably hollow, and which carries the upper part of the apparatus.

13 represents a second hollow post stand ing parallel with the post A, and which can ries the lower portion of the apparatus. Supported on a bracket 0, extending from the post A, is a stationary case D, of circular shape, and, as here represented, tapersupward. \Vithin the case D is a second case E, concentric therewith and forming an annular chamber F between the cases D and E. The chamber within the case E forms the pulp-chamber, or the chamber in which the article is to be formed. This case E extends upward to form a cylinder G, within which is a piston ll, which fits the cylinder, but is free to work up and down therein. From the piston H a rod I extends upward and connects it with a second piston J above in a cylinder K, the said piston J fitting closely its cylinder, but so as to work freely up and down. Beneath the piston J a spring L is arranged, supported upon the top of the cylinder G or otherwise, the tendency of the spring being to lift the piston J, and with it the piston H, as represented in Fig. l, which is the normal position of the two pistons.

M represents a pipe which leads from a reservoir of pulp into the case E immediately below the piston II. It may have one or more openings into the chamber, one only being here represented, and when one is employed, by preference, I make the opening into one side of the chamber, as seen in Fig. 3, so that the pulp flowing into the chamber through the pipe M may give to the pulp in the chamher a whirling motion, which will keep it in constant agitation. The pipe M is provided with a cock N, by which the pipe may be opened or closed to admit or out off the supply of pulp to the chamber E.

0 represents a pipe which leads from a supply of air or steam into the cylinder K, which may be admitted or cut off by the cock or valve P, the tendency of the pressure of such air or steam in the cylinder K being to force the piston H downward in the cylinder G toward the case E.

Q represents a pipe which leads from a reservoir of compressed air or steam into the chamber F.

The hollow post 13 forms a cylinder, within which is a plunger R, fitting the cylinder closely, but yet so as to work freely up and down. From a cock S in the steam or air pipe Q a branch T leads into the post B below the plunger B, so that steam or air under pressure being admitted below the plunger will cause the plunger to rise, the cock being a three-way cock, so that steam or air may be admitted from that pipe Q to either the chamber F or below the plunger R. The plunger R carries upon its upper end a carriage U, which is arranged to slide vertically on guides V, and so that as the plunger rises or falls the carriage will move accordingly.

'W represents the former on which the hollow article is to be shaped. The former is hung upon a hollow axis a on the carriage U, and so that the former may swing from the horizontal position represented in Fig. 1 to the vertical position represented in broken lines in same figure. \Vhen in the vertical position, as represented in broken lines, Fig. 1, the former stands in a position concentric with the pulp-case E. The bottom of the case E is open. Around the lower end of the former is an annular flange 1), which corresponds to the opening in the bottom of the case E, and so that as the former rises it will enter the case concentrically and the flange will close the bottom of the chamber, leaving the former to stand centrally within the then closed pulp-cham her, as seen in Fig. 2. The former is thus raised by the admission of a pressure of air or steam beneath the plunger R. A latch-lever d upon the under side of the flange Z2 is arranged to swing horizontally when the former is in the raised position, and so that it may be locked in that position by turning the latch-lever into engagement with a stationary catch c, as seen in Fig. 2.

The former W is hollow and perforated, as shown, and opens into the hollow axle a, as seen in Fig. 3, upon which the former is adapted to swing. On the hub V of the former or made fast to it is a studf, projecting parallel with the axis on which the former swings, which works in a slotted or grooved guide g, extending down from a support above, this guide being stationary. The upper portion h of the groove in the guide 9 is vertical and in line with the axis upon which'the former ishung; but the lower portion i of this groove is inclined to one side, and so that the studf, which is upon the opposite side of the axis to the former, will strike the bottom of this inclined portion of the groove and cause the former to be turned outward, as represented in Fig. 1, when the former approaches its extreme lowered position. Then as the plunger R rises it carries with it the former and the stud travels through the inclined portion 6 of the groove, thereby gradually bringing the former to the upright or vertical position until the stud reaches the vertical portion h of the groove, when the former is brought to its vertical position, as seen in broken lines, Fig. 1, and so that, continuing its upward movement, it may enter the case E, as seen in Fig. 2 and as before described, and, returning, the vertical portion h of the groove will hold the former in that vertical position until the oblique portion is reached. Then the former will be gradually turnedoutward until the extreme down position is reached, as shown in Fig. 1.

The wall of the case E is perforated, openin g into the pressure-chamber F, and through the piston H one or more perforations or openings Z are formed to permit the escape of air from the chamber E when the pulp is introduced. From the hollow axle a a flexible tube leads to any convenient point, where suction, as by a pump,may be appl1ed,1f desired.

An escape-cockm is provided for the cylin- 7o der K above the piston J, by which the steam or air introduced into the cylinder may be permitted to escape. This completes the construction.

Its operation is as follows: The parts being in the position represented in Fig. 1, force is applied to raise the plunger R and so as to bring the former into the case E, as seen in Fig. 2, where it is locked by the latch-lever d and so as to close the bottom of the pulp- 8o chamber. Now the supply of pulp in a semifiuid condition is admitted to the chamber E through the pipe M, and until the chamber is substantially filled the perfo ated walls of the chamber hold the body of the pulp, only a little water escaping. The walls may be lined with porous cloth. The air of the pulp-chamoer escapes through the openings Zin the piston to the chamber above. Then pressure is applied to the cylinder K for the admission of 9 jecting rim is formed around the bottom. As

the piston H descends, it passes over the opening from the pulp-inlet pipe and cuts off the supply of pulp. Steam or air pressure is now admitted through the pipe Q into the chamber F outside the pulp-chamber, the force of 5 which may enter the chamber through the perforations in the wall of the chamber E. The force thus produced drives the water from the pulp through the perforations in the former, where it escapes through the hollow I I0 axle A, and this escape may be facilitated by applying suction or exhaust to the hollow axle. The piston H presses the pulp upon the upper end of the former, so as to force the water from the pulp. These pressures pro- I I 5 duced within the chamber E force the water from the pulp and leave the fiber equally distributed upon the former and thoroughly compacted thereon. In the case of making a pail in which a rim is required around the edge the piston is of less diameter than the corresponding part of the former, and, as seen in Fig. 2, the pulp building up around the piston under the pressure or force brought to bear thereon and so as to leave a rim pro- 5 jecting around the piston. If, however, the bottombf the pail is to be fiat, then the face of the piston will be of a size corresponding to the entire bottom of the pail to be produced. The water having been thus entirely 3 removed from the fiber, the former is unlockedfrom its position and permitted to descend, and in so descending the former is turned outward, as represented in Fig. 1, to a posi-' The face of the piston is of a 95 tion convenient for the removal of the pail thus formed tl1ereon,'and when thus removed it is treated in the usual manner for such articles. After the removal of the pail the former is again raised and locked in position. Then the pressure upon the piston J is released by opening the cock M or otherwise, when the spring L reacts and forces the pistons up to their normal position, as seen in Fig. 1, and a second pail is produced, and so continuously.

The passage through the hollow axle to the interior of the former may be used for the application of air-pressure inside the former to facilitate the removal of the shaped pail thereon.

To withdraw the water which may pass into the chamber I above the piston II, a flexible tube 22 is arranged, communicating with a suitable exhaust, (not shown,) the tube extending to the lowest point in the upper surface of the piston, so that by such exhaust the water may be entirely removed. The flexible back and like devices common in this class of apparatus may be employed within the pulp-chamber for the better application and distribution of the pulp. It will be understood, if desirable, that the perforations in the former may be varied in size at different points to facilitate equal distribution of the fiber.

The illustration of the invention as for making pails will be sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to adaptthe invention to making other hollow articles from pulp, it only being essential that the former and piston II shall be shaped accordingly.

I have represented the piston II as operated by a pressure-piston in an independent cylinder and a spring; but the piston Ill. may be otherwise operatedsay as by a screw (see Fig. 4)in which case the movement of the piston H is made positive in both directions. I, however, prefer the first-described means for operating the piston; or the pressure may be admitted into the chamber I above the piston II and directly upon the piston; or the piston II may be made as in connection with a diaphragm or, as seen in Fig. 5, so that the center portion of the piston will serve as aformer for the bottom of the article and operate asindicatcd in broken lines, Fig. 5. A good result will also be attained by making the piston as simply a follower or former, as seen in Fig. 6, so as to work in the chamber E and serve to shape the bottom of the vessel or article formed. The under surface of this follower is of a shape required for the surface of the bottom of the article to be made on the former. It does no of necessity extend over the whole surface of the bottom of the article; but it should be arranged so that when down it will produce the required pressure thereon. This illustration will be sufficient to indicate that the piston character of the bottom of the former is not essential to the invention, although it is preferred.

In some cases the shaping of the bottom may not be desirable. In that case the secondformer or piston II with its connections will be omitted, the pulp being deposited upon the former under pressure from the pressurechamber.

The vertically-1noving carriage with the hollow axle and the former thereon may be employed to advantage with a pulp-chamber having other known means of applying pressure to the pulp to separate the water therefrom and leave the fiber on the former.

Any suitable locking device may be employed to support the former in its raised position, the illustration of the latch being given as a convenient means forsueh locking of the former.

The pressure chamber surrounding the pulp-chamber and the piston in the pulpchamber may be employed in combination with a former having simply a vertical movementthat is to say, with the former stationary, as represented in broken lines, Fig. 1. In such case it is only necessary to give to the former a downward movement sufficiently far to permit the article to be lifted from the former.

I claim- 1. In a machine for making hollow articles from pulp, the combination of a stationary pulp-chamber open at the bottom, a pressurechamber around said pulp-chamber, with perforations through the wall of the pulp-chamber from said pressure-chamber, the said pulp-chamber terminating at its upper end in a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder and forming the top of the said chamber, the under surface of said piston of a shape required for the corresponding surface of the article to be formed, the bottom of the chamber open, a vertically-sliding carriage arranged below said p ulp-chamber, a hollow perforated former hung upon a hollow axis in said carriage and so as to swing in a vertical plane, said former corresponding to the shape of the interior of the article to be produced and constructed with a flange around its lower edge corresponding to the opening in the pulp-chamber, the said former opening from its inside into said hollow axle, with a pipe leading from a reservoir of pulp to the said pulp-chamber below the piston, and a pressure-pipe leading from a source of press ure to the prcssure-chamber, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the vertical hollow post 13, forming a cylinder, plunger R, arranged in said cylinder, a pipe leading from a source of pressure into said cylinder below said plunger, a carriage arranged upon said plungerand so as to move up and down therewith, the hollow perforated former \V, hung in said carriage upon a hollow axle and so as to swing in a vertical plane, the interior of the former openinginto said hollow axle, the said former movable up and down with said plunger, a pulp-chamber E, arranged over said carriage, its bottom open, and the former constructed with a flange adapted to close said bottom of the chamber as the formeris forced into the chamber by the movement of said plunger, a pressure-chamber F, surrounding said pulp-chamber, the wall of the pulpchamber perforated, opening from the said pressure-chamber, and the said pulp-chamber opening at its upper end into a cylinder G, a piston H in said cylinder G, movable therein, its under surface of the shape required for the corresponding; surface of the article to be formed, a second cylinder K, arranged above the cylinder G and concentric therewith, a piston J in said cylinder K, rigidly connected to the piston H, a pipe M, leading from a pulp-reservoir to the pulp-chamber below the piston, a pipe Q, leading from a source of pressure into said pressure chamber F, and a pipe 0, leading from a source of pressure into the cylinder K above the piston J, substantially as and for the purpose described.

tion inclined therefrom, the hub of said follower provided with a stud f, adapted to Work in said groove, with mechanism, substantially such as described, to supply pulp and pressure to the said pulp-chamber, substantially as and for the purpose described.

HOWARD PARKER. Witnesses:

C. M. SPENCER, E. A. SILSBY. 

